DESC:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970

(39 of 1970)

&

THE PATENT RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

[See Section 10 and Rule 13]

TITLE:

“DUAL CODE BASED MULTI-LAYER AUTHENTICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF”

APPLICANT:

MANIPAL TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
A company incorporated under Indian Companies Act, 1956 having address at
PRESS CORNER, MANIPAL-576104, KARNATAKA, INDIA

PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION:
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an advanced and improved means of anti-counterfeiting measure to be incorporated onto products from the group of, but not limiting to branded commodities, pharmaceuticals, packaging of valuable materials, secured documents and fiduciary papers etc. More particularly, the invention relates to authentication means comprising two dimensional bar code encrypted with data in combination with micro level artwork and/or designs printing incorporated as a means of security measure for counterfeit protection. The invention further provides for the programmed application for reading the encrypted data in the two dimensional code.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

To address the issue of counterfeiting especially in pharmaceuticals, branded and/or valuable items and security documents there is a need for incorporating such security features which make it difficult to forge the packaging and/or documents as far as possible. Security and/or value documents are currently provided with transmissive security elements which can be checked when viewed in a trans-illumination mode and which afford a particularly high level of security against imitation by means of a colour copier.

Problems with known counterfeit protection measures include the increased cost, easy imitations by alternate methods, like digital or laser printing, scanning, photography and xerography. Another problem is the difficulty in raising public awareness of some of the measures, especially in relation to counterfeit protection and authenticating means.

A typical barcode is a machine-readable optical label that contains information about the item to which it is attached. A two dimensional bar code uses four standardized encoding modes namely, numeric, alphanumeric, byte/binary, and kanji, to efficiently store data; extensions may also be used.
This two dimensional QR bar code system became popular outside the automotive industry due to its fast readability and greater storage capacity compared to standard UPC barcodes. Applications include product tracking, item identification, time tracking, document management, and general marketing.

A typical two dimensional QR code consists of black modules (square dots) arranged in a square grid on a white background, which can be read by an imaging device (such as a camera, scanner, etc.) and processed using reed–solomon error correction until the image can be appropriately interpreted. The required data are then extracted from patterns that are present in both horizontal and vertical components of the image.

For variable data printing standard barcodes are used for open public information and these barcodes can be photocopied in standard printer. Now, such visual codes can be imitated easily by means such as high quality photocopiers and are thus highly vulnerable to be misused.

Standard barcode generation software is easily accessible to counterfeiters. Considering this many product manufacturing companies adopted proprietary barcodes & mobile applications to authenticate the products hoping to avoid mass counterfeit. Brand owners find this inconvenient as they are locked in with the proprietary barcode providers and it is cumbersome to maintain multiple applications to authenticate the product during the life cycle of the product.

Prior art provides such systems, for instance US20160267369Al, wherein the system generates a secure barcode by: identifying a primary pattern for a two-dimensional barcode to be printed on a substrate, wherein the primary pattern comprises of a set of dark cells and a set of light cells; identifying a two-dimensional micro-shape, wherein the micro-shape has a size that is no larger than a size of each cell of the two-dimensional barcode; generating a secondary pattern comprising a plurality of the micro-shapes; and superimposing the secondary pattern with the primary pattern for the two-dimensional barcode to yield a secure barcode.

US20170032382Al discloses systems of this type wherein the techniques for product authentication are disclosed which employ both identification tags affixed to products and a central server to validate scanned tag codes. To verify authenticity of a product, a user may peel off a cover label from the identification tag to reveal a scannable or readable code/symbol, use a device to scan or read the code/symbol, and then transmit it to the central server for authentication. The central server determines, based on database records, whether the code/symbol is genuine and never scanned by another device before. If so, the product is deemed authentic, and a corresponding token is created and stored based on the unique combination of the code/symbol and an identifier of the device used to scan/submit the code/symbol.

US20050269416A1 discloses systems wherein the printed barcode including first basic barcode information stored in a first basic mode of printed data storage, and second additional enhanced barcode information stored in a second enhanced mode of printed data storage. The second information is printed, at least partially, as a component of the first information. The first information is adapted to be read by a basic barcode reader. The second information is adapted to be read by an enhanced barcode reader and cannot be read by the basic barcode reader.
All the state of the art disclosures have certain drawbacks. There are some restrictions, like the artwork design is introduced only in the black portion of the QR code, so the physical nature of the QR code is changed visibly. They use multiple layers of laminating films which is an expensive option; and above all, visual representation of the QR code can be modified easily.
Therefore, there is a requirement for authentication systems and means to check upon the menace of counterfeiting. There is a need to address authentication limitations at the end of consumer and to ensure genuineness of the product purchased by them.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is thus an object of the invention to provide an improved and advanced alternative to the state of the art authentication features.

It is further an object of the invention to provide a means of authentication implied on a product that renders the product unable to be duplicated.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a means of authentication having multiple levels of authenticating elements to detect counterfeit.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a means of authentication having secure and durable authenticating elements.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a means of authentication that comprises at least three levels of authentications including two dimensional bar code, encryption of data and micro-printing patterns to detect tampering.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a programmed application for reading the encrypted data in the two dimensional code.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a means of authentication to obviate the disadvantages of the present state of the art measures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention relates to an advanced and improved means of anti-counterfeiting measure to be incorporated onto products from the group of, but not limiting to branded commodities, pharmaceuticals, packaging of valuable materials, secured documents and fiduciary papers etc.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a system for dual code based product authentication comprising: a means for authenticating the product, said means further comprising at least one overt layer (103); at least one covert layer (104); at least one copy protection layer (102); said overt layer (103) having product information encrypted in it; a means for capturing and processing the dual code (105); and a means for decrypting the encrypted information; wherein: the overt layer (103) represents open product information; the covert layer (104) represents hidden variable product information; and the copy protection layer (102) having a micro level artwork design(102) superimposed within at least one of cells of the overt layer (103); and wherein the overt layer (103) is embedded on covert layer (104) resulting into a secure and tamper evident dual code (105).

In yet another embodiment of the present invention is proposed a method for dual code based product authentication, said method comprising the steps of: capturing the dual code (105) using at least one smart device; processing the dual code (105); verifying the dual code (105); sending the authenticated result; wherein: the steps of processing the dual code (105) further comprises: importing the overt (103) and covert layer (104) information for encoding; generating dual code (105) using overt (103) and covert layer (104) information; superimposing copy protection layer (102) which is blended in micro level artwork (102) and dual code(105); scanning the dual code (105) for reproduction; verifying the dual code (105) locally on the mobile device; sending the superimposed dual code (105) information to the server for authentication; verifying the superimposed dual code (105) with pre-determined information related to the product which are already stored in the server; and sending the verified and authenticated result to the smart device.

In further preferred embodiment, the authentication means comprises at least three levels of authentications including two dimensional bar code (105), encryption of data and micro-printing artwork patterns (102) to detect tampering. The multi–level authenticating measures make the code almost impossible to counterfeit and chances of duplicity are thus minimized. The invention further relates to a programmed application for reading the encrypted data in the two dimensional code (105).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the system and method of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following drawings:

Fig. 1 elucidates multi-layered security feature for authentication according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 shows flow chart depicting generation & authentication of security feature according to the invention.
Fig. 3 shows flow chart depicting process of authenticating at server level.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, the embodiment is provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will readily occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the forgoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
The invention relates to an advanced and improved means of anti-counterfeiting measure to be incorporated onto products from the group of, but not limiting to branded commodities, pharmaceuticals, packaging of valuable materials, secured documents and fiduciary papers etc. More particularly, the invention relates to authentication means comprising two dimensional barcode (105) encrypted with data in combination with micro level printing products incorporated as a means of security measure for counterfeit protection.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention is proposed a system for dual code based product authentication comprising: a means for authenticating the product, said means further comprising at least one overt layer (103); at least one covert layer (104); at least one copy protection layer (102); said overt layer (103) having product information encrypted in it; a means for capturing and processing the dual code (105); and a means for decrypting the encrypted information; wherein: the overt layer (103) represents open product information; the covert layer (104) represents hidden variable product information; and the copy protection layer (102) having a micro level artwork design(102) superimposed within at least one of cells of the overt layer (103); and wherein the overt layer (103) is embedded on covert layer (104) resulting into a secure and tamper evident dual code (105).

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention is proposed a method for dual code based product authentication comprising the steps of: capturing the dual code (105) using at least one smart device; processing the dual code (105); verifying the dual code (105); sending the authenticated result; wherein: the steps of processing the dual code (105) further comprises: importing the overt (103) and covert layer (104) information for encoding; generating dual code (105) using overt (103) and covert layer (104) information; superimposing copy protection layer (102) which is blended in micro level artwork (102) and dual code(105) ; scanning the dual code (105) for reproduction; verifying the dual code (105) locally on the mobile device; sending the superimposed dual code (105) information to the server for authentication; verifying the superimposed dual code (105) with pre-determined information related to the product which are already stored in the server; and sending the verified and authenticated result to the smart device.

Fig. 1 depicts the authentication means according to the present invention comprises at least three levels of authentications including two dimensional bar code (105), encryption of data and micro-printing artwork patterns (102) to detect tampering. The multi–level authenticating measures make the code almost impossible to counterfeit and chances of duplicity are thus minimized. The proposed security feature consists of three layers of data encapsulation:

a) Layer 1 (103) stores the open data with respect to the secure document such as serial number or any other data which is not cipher in nature. This data can be read through any barcode reader. This layer is connoted at overt layer (103);

b) Layer 2 (104), connoted as covert layer (104), stores the covert data with respect to the secure document in the form of barcode (105). This is mainly used to determine the originality of the created barcode; and

c) Layer 3 (102), indicated as copy protection (102), ensures that the secure document is copy protected. This layer consists of micro level artwork design (102) which will not be instantly visible but will be reproduced on the scan copy or on photocopier indicating counterfeit.

It is to be noted that data of first two layers (103 & 104) is variable in nature, hence, it is encoded in the barcode & read using a programmed application like a mobile app. When the code is scanned using a smart phone device having the application, the key points of code are detected, device captures the image code. The application processes the captured image and reads the covert (104), overt (103) and copy protect (102) feature, after fetching all the information application sends the data to the server for authentication with location details. Server processes the data received with stored information. After verifying the data, server sends back the result to smart phone.

Fig. 2 elucidates the variable data which is encoded into dual code to generate the code with overt (103) as well as covert (104) data. The copy protection feature (102) is blended into micro-pattern artwork (102) on substrate and on the same the code with encrypted data is printed. The resultant code when scanned and read by mobile application authenticates/verifies the content data.

Fig. 3 depicts the process of verifying the results wherein the image is captured, and processed. The processed bar code image is verified locally on the mobile device and sent to central server. The data received by server is verified for pre-determined variables/values and the results of such verification are sent to the local device for display.

It is further provided that the authentication solution based on the standard two dimensional barcode has incremental benefit by way of creation of a covert (104) secondary layer of data which is encrypted via a custom key and tamper evident design which is blended into artwork (102) as security element for copy protection.

Thus the present invention is an overt & covert information based authentication/security feature which is printed on material & authenticated using a computer program including but not limited to a mobile application. This feature is non-cloneable and nearly impossible to counterfeit as this feature consists of two step security check namely presence of overt tamper evident design which is blended into artwork as security element at the first part and a hidden variable data embedded inside the barcode at the second part. ,CLAIMS:CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A system for dual code based product authentication comprising:
a) a means for authenticating the product, said means further comprising at least one overt layer (103); at least one covert layer (104); at least one copy protection layer (102); said covert layer (104) having product information encrypted in it; said overt layer and covert layer together forming a dual code;
b) a means for capturing and processing the dual code; and
c) a means for decrypting the encrypted information;
wherein:
the overt layer (103) represents open product information;
the covert layer (104) represents hidden variable product information;
the copy protection layer (102) having a micro level artwork design (102) superimposed within at least one of cells of the overt layer (103); and
the overt layer (103) is embedded on covert layer (104) resulting into a secure and tamper evident dual code.

2. The system for dual code based product authentication as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for capturing and processing the dual code captures the information from covert layer and overt layer.

3. The system for dual code based product authentication as claimed in claim 2, wherein the means for capturing and processing the dual code sends the captured information to a remote server for authentication purpose.

4. The system for dual code based product authentication as claimed in claim 3, wherein the server decrypts and authenticates the information with pre-determined information pre-stored in the server.

5. The system for dual code based product authentication as claimed in claim 4, wherein the server sends the authentication results to a smart device.

6. The system for dual code based product authentication as claimed in claim 5, wherein the smart device is a smart phone.

7. The system for dual code based product authentication as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dual code is in the form of a two dimensional QR code.
8. The system for dual code based product authentication as claimed in claim 1, wherein the overt layer of the dual code is alternatively be read by a barcode reader.

9. The system for dual code based product authentication as claimed in claim 1, wherein the micro level artwork design is invisible with naked eye.

10. The system for dual code based product authentication as claimed in claim 1, wherein the micro level artwork design becomes visible on a duplicate copy of the dual code.